About Shiro
History
A legacy of 119 years—built at the end of the 19th century, this machiya-style townhouse was used as a shop, a home, and a tax accountant’s office until undergoing renovations to become a hostel in 2014. It stands in a historic neighborhood 20 seconds by foot from Kanazawa Castle. Spring brings sakura cherry blossoms flowering before you, summer the rich greenery of the trees, autumn the crimson of the leaves, and winter the beauty of falling snow.
What is “Shiro”?
Directly translated, “shiro” refers to the color white in Japanese. Not only is white an important element in traditional Japanese craft and in Zen Buddhism, the owners also wanted to incorporate the ideas of “margin” and “blank” (both of these words use the Chinese character for "white" in Japanese) into the name to indicate a space that’s unadorned, gentle, and calming.
About the Building
Shiro is a beautifully renovated historical machiya-style townhouse. Renovations were carried out by a local architect and traditionally-trained craftspeople who preserved the historical aspects of the structure even as they made changes to accommodate to the modern Japanese lifestyle.
Location
Located near the center of town, Shiro is within walking distance of many of Kanazawa’s sights: Kanazawa Castle, of course, but also Kenroku-en Garden, Omi-cho Market, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the D.T. Suzuki Museum where architecture and Zen philosophy come together, the Higashi Chaya District, and more.
We especially recommend Shiro to the following types of people:
With a maximum capacity of only 15 people, staying at Shiro is like staying at someone’s home. It’s a great option for those with an interest in historical architecture, guests who want a calm and relaxing stay, lovers of art and design, and people who’d like to enjoy a simple, minimalist space.
Guest Rooms
Tsuchi room（10.7m²）
Ki room（12m²）
Hari room（13.2m²）
Kumo room（6.6m²）
館内のようす
Kitchen lounge
Mise no ma
Shower room
Terrace
Landscape
Floor map
Access
Address: 1-2, Otemachi, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan
Public bus (bus, 5 min.; walking, 8 min.)
1. Catch any bus going via ”Musashigatsuji”, for example a ”Korinbo”- or ”Kenrokuen-shita”-bound bus. Get off at ”Musasshigatsuji / Omicho-ichiba” (about a 5-minute ride).
2. Omi-cho Market is located right in front of the bus stop. Go straight (east) through the main covered arcade and out the other side of the market until the road ends at a T-section (about 350 meters).
3. At the T-section you’ll find the Omicho Post Office (JP Post).
4. Turn right (south) at the T-section and walk toward the Kuromon entrance to Kanazawa Castle Park.
5. Continue to walk straight along, crossing an intersection with a stoplight (“Bakuromachi-minami”), until you arrive to a corner just before the castle park’s Kuromon entrance (about 250 meters). Shiro is in the left half of the machiya townhouse on the corner to your left.
Walk(approx. 20 min.)
1. Leave out east exit (Kenroku-en exit) of Kanazawa Station.
2. Walk along the main road until you come to a very large intersection (“Musashi”, about 1.2 km).
3. Omi-cho Market is located on the opposite right hand (southeast) corner of the intersection. Cross the large crosswalk in front of Kuromon Koji and go straight (east) through the main covered arcade out the other side of the market until the road ends at a T-section (about 350 meters).
4. Turn right (south) at the T-section and walk toward the Kuromon entrance to Kanazawa Castle Park.
5. Continue to walk straight along, crossing an intersection with a stoplight (“Bakuromachi-minami”), until you arrive to a corner just before the castle park’s Kuromon entrance (about 250 meters). Shiro is in the left half of the machiya townhouse on the corner to your left.
Access map
Guide
Check-in: 14:00〜20:30
Check-out: 〜11:00
Closed (Cleaning and Maintenance): 12:00〜14:00
Leaving baggage before check-in: 9:00〜11:50
Picking up baggage stored with us after check-out : 〜12:00 ／ 14:00〜21:00
Tel
070-5062-0030
（9:00〜21:00）